Three local female students, on their way to Hemet High School, were injured in an over-the-side crash on Highway 74 west of McCall Park Road in Mountain Center.

California Highway Patrol Officer Mike Murawski, on scene of the crash, provided the following information. At sometime before 7:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 19, Jennifer Rivera, 18, of Pine Cove was driving her white Honda Civic westbound on Highway 74 when, according to Rivera’s statement, she swerved to the right to avoid an eastbound vehicle that had crossed into her lane. In the vehicle with Rivera were two minor female companions. The abrupt swerve to the right forced Rivera’s vehicle over the side of the embankment.

The car that Jennifer Rivera, of Pine Cove, was driving, was towed to Idyllwild Garage this morning.
The car that Jennifer Rivera, of Pine Cove, was driving, was towed to Idyllwild Garage this morning.

Murawski said CHP is still investigating Rivera’s report of an oncoming vehicle that crossed into her lane and that information could not be confirmed at this time.

Mercy Air transported Rivera to Desert Regional with serious injuries and the two others, with less serious injuries according to the initial report, were transported by ground ambulance to an unidentified hospital.

According to the Riverside County Fire Department report, firefighters arrived on the scene to find one vehicle approximately twenty feet over the side with one patient trapped inside. Firefighters were able to extricate the trapped patient. Cal Fire’s report listed injuries to the two minor females as moderate and minor.

This is a preliminary report. CHP Officer Mike Murawski is in the process of visiting the hospitals to which the girls were transported to get more information about the incident. We will update this article as more information comes in from CHP and other reporting agencies.